On January 2010 American Tactical Imports Inc received official notification from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and explosives that the original barrel shroud (aka: fake suppressor) supplied with your GSG 5 SD model must be replaced. It has been determined that this shroud is regulated under the National Firearms Act. American Tactical will provide a replacement shroud at no charge for each GSG 5 SD model sold or currently in inventory. Consumers in possession of a GSG 5 SD model with the original shroud in place on the firearm are now in violation of the NFA. To avoid continued violation of the NFA, ATI asks that all persons in possession obtain a replacement shroud as soon as possible. We anticipate arrival of the new shrouds to begin by the middle of February 2010.
IMPORTANT: THE ORIGINAL SD MODEL SHROUD MUST BE RETURNED ACOMPANIED BY THE FIREARM SERIAL NUMBER BEFORE A REPLACEMENT SHROUD IS ISSUED. THE DIAMETER OF THE SD SHROUD IS 1-9/16”. DO NOT RETURN THE SMALLER CARBINE SHROUD.
WHAT TO DO:
If possible return your old shroud to the dealer where purchased and show him this notice. The shroud will be returned to ATI along with a list of serial numbers from the guns that the shrouds were removed. ATI will send replacements to the dealer for pick up at your convenience; ATI will be sending replacements as fast as logistics allow. If your dealer is out of business or difficult to reach, or you purchased your gun used, from a consumer, return the shroud directly by US mail or UPS to American Tactical Imports Inc. 100 Airpark Drive Rochester, NY 14624.
PLEASE TRY NOT TO CALL US. We will provide comprehensive information on our web site www.americantactical.us , and www.ar15.com or by e-mail to atiexchange@americantactical.us
REMEMBER, INCLUDE THE FIREARM SERIAL NUMBER WITH EACH SHROUD OR A REPLACEMENT WILL NOT BE ISSUED.
This action IS NOT being instituted through any fault and is strictly due to NFA compliance. American Tactical will assume the responsibility to satisfy the requirements in an effort to minimize the impact on our customers and protect your investment.
We at American Tactical Imports Inc. sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused by this unfortunate situation.

seriously though.....who's going to be able to tell the difference between the illegal one and the ones that have been out there for YEARS!.......but it's always best to be safe i guess. not really worth violating NFA rules (even if you'll probably NEVER get caught.....

__________________Most civilization is based on cowardice. It's so easy to civilize by teaching cowardice. You water down the standards which would lead to bravery. You restrain the will. You regulate the appetites. You fence in the horizons. You make a law for every movement. You deny the existence of chaos. You teach even the children to breathe slowly. You tame.People Should Not Be Afraid Of Their Governments, Governments Should Be Afraid Of Their People

seriously though.....who's going to be able to tell the difference between the illegal one and the ones that have been out there for YEARS!.......but it's always best to be safe i guess. not really worth violating NFA rules (even if you'll probably NEVER get caught.....

Years? Even two years would be a stretch. But, I don't even think it's been that long. The original GSG came out at SHOT 2008. The SD model was well after that.

I would sure like to know what makes a 1 9/16" barrel shroud any different than the smaller carbine shroud...

The SD shroud at no time has any interior open chamber contact with the flight of the bullet, so how could a cosmetic tube encasing the barrel be an NFA regulated suppressor.

Maybe it's not that the hollow tube actually suppresses the GSG-5 per se, but maybe that the shroud in and of itself, threaded and all, can be considered to be a real can and thus similar to other cans that have to be registered....

Maybe it's not that the hollow tube actually suppresses the GSG-5 per se, but maybe that the shroud in and of itself, threaded and all, can be considered to be a real can and thus similar to other cans that have to be registered....

I understand... This could be interesting... There are no differences between the SD shroud and the Spikes ST22 fake can, which also encloses the barrel... This NFA clarification may open up a new issues for several "fake" suppressors.

Maybe it's not that the hollow tube actually suppresses the GSG-5 per se, but maybe that the shroud in and of itself, threaded and all, can be considered to be a real can and thus similar to other cans that have to be registered....

That can't be their reasoning because only the SD models are affected. The standard carbines which have smallers shrouds but thread the same way are not a problem according to the ATF.

I just looked at my SD fake can and I think I understand the theoretical problem. The fake can by itself looks like it meets the definition of a suppressor. Installed on the GSG the fake can doesn't do anything, but if you were to install it on the end of another rifle, so the bullet went through the can as it exited the muzzle, it would technically be a suppressor. It is a hollowed out metal cylinder. A POS suppressor that does almost nothing, but it does meet the definition.

I just looked at my SD fake can and I think I understand the theoretical problem. The fake can by itself looks like it meets the definition of a suppressor. Installed on the GSG the fake can doesn't do anything, but if you were to install it on the end of another rifle, so the bullet went through the can as it exited the muzzle, it would technically be a suppressor. It is a hollowed out metal cylinder. A POS suppressor that does almost nothing, but it does meet the definition.

Playing the devils advocate here as I dont own a GSG nor plan too anytime soon. I think the issue was with the shroud on the GSG. Hacksaw the inner barrel and pack the shroud with any number of items that absorb sound from foam to washers its too easy to "convert". Keep in mind duct tape and a 2 liter soda bottle on the end of a muzzle makes the atf unhappy as well.

Playing the devils advocate here as I dont own a GSG nor plan too anytime soon. I think the issue was with the shroud on the GSG. Hacksaw the inner barrel and pack the shroud with any number of items that absorb sound from foam to washers its too easy to "convert". Keep in mind duct tape and a 2 liter soda bottle on the end of a muzzle makes the atf unhappy as well.

The thought did occur to me that it would be very easy to cut the barrel down so the muzzle would end at the beginning of the can. Without baffles it would be retarded though.

Playing the devils advocate here as I dont own a GSG nor plan too anytime soon. I think the issue was with the shroud on the GSG. Hacksaw the inner barrel and pack the shroud with any number of items that absorb sound from foam to washers its too easy to "convert". Keep in mind duct tape and a 2 liter soda bottle on the end of a muzzle makes the atf unhappy as well.

even so it is a not as issued product that one would have to create by cutting the inner thing of the part that goes up.

Now this is only the SD model right? Not the carbine with the skinnier can? I almost hate to ask and jinx it all. Wasteful government, it's a fricking rimfire for pete's sake! What's next, outlaw subsonic ammo?

The original SD fake suppressor weight .45 LBS (7.2 ounces). The new fake suppressor weight .5 LBS (8 ounces) so there's not really too much difference in the overall weight. Looking at the new one next to the old one, the finish looks the same. The modification is completely internal, there is no change in the guns appearence with the new fake suppressor.